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Poem
August 18, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A didactic poem warning young women to resist professions of love from inconstant youth, emphasizing prudence to safeguard innocence, honor, and peace against the delusions of romance.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THAT no Virgin would incline an ear
To wild professions from inconstant youth,
But nobly scorn a sentiment to hear,
That seems to laugh at innocence and truth.
For if no just displeasure she reveals,
Time will convince her dearly to her cost,
That step by step the sweet delusion steals,
Till fame and honor are forever lost.
The female mind may bid its terrors cease,
Who never made her softer feelings known,
Nor fear a thought destructive to her peace,
While prudence tells her to conceal her own.
But if, alas! In some unguarded hour,
From this advice she madly should depart,
She gives her lover an unbounded pow'r
To wound her honor and to break her heart.
In vain the fair to such a crisis drove,
In sense or soul superior will confide;
For when has reason triumph'd over love,
Or inclination been subdu'd by pride?
To wild professions from inconstant youth,
But nobly scorn a sentiment to hear,
That seems to laugh at innocence and truth.
For if no just displeasure she reveals,
Time will convince her dearly to her cost,
That step by step the sweet delusion steals,
Till fame and honor are forever lost.
The female mind may bid its terrors cease,
Who never made her softer feelings known,
Nor fear a thought destructive to her peace,
While prudence tells her to conceal her own.
But if, alas! In some unguarded hour,
From this advice she madly should depart,
She gives her lover an unbounded pow'r
To wound her honor and to break her heart.
In vain the fair to such a crisis drove,
In sense or soul superior will confide;
For when has reason triumph'd over love,
Or inclination been subdu'd by pride?
What sub-type of article is it?
Didactic Poem
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
Virgin Honor
Inconstant Youth
Love Delusion
Female Prudence
Moral Advice
Poem Details
Subject
Advice To Young Women On Resisting Inconstant Lovers
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
For If No Just Displeasure She Reveals,
Time Will Convince Her Dearly To Her Cost,
That Step By Step The Sweet Delusion Steals,
Till Fame And Honor Are Forever Lost.
But If, Alas! In Some Unguarded Hour,
From This Advice She Madly Should Depart,
She Gives Her Lover An Unbounded Pow'r
To Wound Her Honor And To Break Her Heart.
For When Has Reason Triumph'd Over Love,
Or Inclination Been Subdu'd By Pride?